HOPs

[Manxman1234]

Just looking at their social media page. Looks like decent range on tap.

Although their pricing is a little random, 2 half pints are cheaper than a pint. 
 

if they new to industry, hopefully they listen to constructive feedback and their customers and potential customers.

[Passing Time]

So many hospitality experts on MF. Surprised that the LVA don’t use you all as consultants 🤭

 

[Manxman1234]

4 minutes ago, jackwhite said:

The fridge isn't to stay. It's a place holder so that no-one goes into that corner. It was gifted to them by someone but they didn't realise the condition it was in until it arrived. They are waiting on two brand new fridges arriving for bottles and cans. Both to take-away and drink in, should you wish. Then the other one will be taken away, at cost to them again. 

It is very much a work in progress. Hence why they are continually referring to this as their soft opening.

I'm not going to go into the reasons for that but they've had to adjust big time and aren't where they wanted to be for opening. However, with all businesses, you just need to get open sometimes and then find the way. 

As I've alluded to, they'll be the first to admit the place is not exactly where they want it to be. 

It's very difficult when you open a business particularly if something happens like what has to them. However they need to be open. That said they're doing a very good job IMO and the customers who are coming in are happy. They're over-subscribed on the cigars and have gone through almost 1000 pints in 3 weeks, so not bad going. 

If you don't think it's welcoming, it's fine. But give it a go as they are making everyone who comes in very welcome. 

There are people who will try it and not like it, obviously. It may be they're not into craft beer or have experienced it. It may be that they like cask. It won't appeal to all. But if none of it puts you off, try and get past your impressions and just give it a go. 

 

I’m looking forward to trying it, hopefully service and drinks make up for my intitial impression and I’m wrong . All for supporting any new venture, especially when includes a drink or 2 

[jackwhite]

11 minutes ago, Manxman1234 said:

Didn’t even notice that on window. 
 

has the look of a speak easy, which to be fair might be a good concept if they trying to go for clientele who spend more 

There is an element of the speak easy vibe. There is a well known bar in NYC that is hidden in a telephone box. I can only imagine the Manx view of that. 

10 minutes ago, Manxman1234 said:

That would explain it then if this is more of a hobby, and not their full time commitment. hopefully it succeeds as market for smaller bar wirh decent spirits and ales 

It's not a hobby as such and something they want to make full time. They aren't in a position to do that, yet. 

 

9 minutes ago, CrazyDave said:

We walked past twice and only saw the name because we were really looking for it.

Like I said we went down specifically to find and try the place after hearing about it from you on here.  I don’t know why you are so defensive from what is genuine feedback.

The signage was rubbish (planning doesn’t take that long) and as a random passer by I would never give the place a second look.

It was closed on a Bank Holiday, and to be honest from outside just looked a bit rubbish.

Sorry if you don’t like the genuine feedback.  We went to the Front Porch and had a great afternoon spending the money we had intended to spend in Hops

Have you ever applied for planning? It takes around 2/3 months usually. There is at the very least a publicity period of 3 weeks then another appeal period of 3 weeks. By the time you factor in all the other bits it's usually around the timeframe indicated, as a minimum. That's without any delays or objections.

Again, they should open on a bank holiday Monday, having been open all week on their time off, some nights up until 1am, just because you wanted to go? So they should work for 10 days solid, without one single day break?

Why am I defensive? Because it's tiring listening to armchair experts talk nonsense when they haven't actually the foggiest idea. They spend lots of time talking to customers. They've tried various other forms of engagement and worked very hard to even get to this stage. So yes, it does get a bit grating. That said, I've stopped reading Facebook for the same reason, because everyone is an expert all of a sudden. 

Also one final thing, if you're used to The Front Porch, then this place may not to be your liking. They are very different concepts. 

[slinkydevil]

5 minutes ago, Manxman1234 said:

Just looking at their social media page. Looks like decent range on tap.

Although their pricing is a little random, 2 half pints are cheaper than a pint. 
 

if they new to industry, hopefully they listen to constructive feedback and their customers and potential customers.

Looks nice, I'll have two half pints in a pint glass, please.

[jackwhite]

7 minutes ago, Manxman1234 said:

Just looking at their social media page. Looks like decent range on tap.

Although their pricing is a little random, 2 half pints are cheaper than a pint. 
 

if they new to industry, hopefully they listen to constructive feedback and their customers and potential customers.

I 

I picked up on that when they posted it tbh. It was a mistake on their system. 

That said I'll give him a kick for not taking down the photo.

There have been changes already following customer feedback. Little things it may be. An example, they don't stock JD. It's not that type of place. But they did have a lot of people insisting they wouldn't drink anything else so large groups might have one or two objectors. They did put the customers onto, IMO, better quality products. In the end they conceded and picked up a bottle of JD. 

As I've said, it's a 'soft opening'. Give them some time. They're not new to the industry albeit this is their first business of their own.

[La Colombe]

I like the place. Their jockey is the smoothest and their music is the coolest. 

[jackwhite]

Just now, La Colombe said:

I like the place. Their jockey is the smoothest and their music is the coolest. 

Been in? Not sure at this stage or whether it's sarcasm (it's been a long week!)

[TheTeapot]

4 minutes ago, La Colombe said:

I like the place. Their jockey is the smoothest and their music is the coolest. 

Nice

[La Colombe]

Let's go!

[Roxanne]

Oh baby…

[Manxman1234]

Not seen planning applications in window or on government planning websites that list applications. Nothing since Nov last year for change of use? Surely they knew they would need signage before opened? 
 

if your their spokes person and calling their potential customers arm chair experts and trolls, then you possibly need to rethink your approach as it won’t do anything to attract customers who read this. Telling people who may have frequented the front porch it’s not for them, is once again not doing HOPS any favours, Customers drinking habits can change depending on circumstances and who they drink with and the reason for socialising.  Someone who goes to Jaks for the footy, Front porch for live music, may also like HOPS when out with a business client or partner, or for a quiet catch up with a friend. 
 

personally I would prefer to pay more for a premium spirit, and try new drinks, so this is why I asked initial question, although my choice of bar does vary depending on situation.
 

as I said I hope it succeeds. 

[Ringy Rose]

Looks like most specialist craft beer bars you see in the UK- wooden floorboards, mismatched tables, etc etc. Doesn’t look uninviting, especially not opposite O’Donnells.

[Flubbergump]

1 hour ago, 2112 said:

It wasn’t open yesterday afternoon, certainly around 2pm. Henderson and Glass are established now, I think that HOPs offering high end spirits, alcoholic drinks and cigars is a niche area. Further down on Strand Street, the Hot Chocolate shop has relocated to Peel. It must have found cheaper premises, and perhaps the citizens of Peel prefer Hot Chocolate to Coffee?

Didn't do herself any favours over the whole criticism of businesses opening during the Jubilee, then doing it herself. 

[Amadeus]

Tried it yesterday and rather like it. Finally a place with decent whiskeys, and the other booze he sells is also nice.